INFINITE JET KOREA
Aviation Support & Solutions
Resources
Click on any of the links for more information.
Aviation in Korea
Interesting fact: The route between Seoul's Gimpo Airport and Jeju Airport is the busiest in the world.
There were almost 80,000 flights in 2018, carrying some 14 million passengers.
Jeju Island is a very popular tourist destination.
Below you will find some other interesting information about aviation in Korea.
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
Korea's First Airport
Yeouido Airport (1916)
A sandy island on the Han River, which runs through the middle of Seoul, was the site of Korea's first aerodrome.
Constructed in 1916, Yeoiudo Airport was used mainly by the military and later by civil aircraft until 1958, when Gimpo airport took over commercial flights.
Yeouido is now a financial district, with many skyscrapers, which would be unimaginable 100 years ago and a park now occupies the location of the airfield. Various objects show the historical site, such as runway markings and an old aircraft.
There are now around 35 airports in Korea, but only 15 of these are used by commercial aircraft.
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
National Aviation Day
October 30
October 30 marks the celebration of National Aviation Day in Korea.
Starting in 1981, this day was picked as it marks the first commercial flight after South Korea's first ever government had formed post liberation.
For the first time, an aircraft owned by a Korean company flew in the sky of an independent Korean territory.
Flown by Captain Yong-Wook Shinn, the KNA aircraft took off from Seoul at 10am and landed in Busan at 12pm, October 30, 1948, with 2 passengers on board.
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
Korea's 1st Airline
Korea National Airlines
In 1946 one of Korea's aviation pioneers, Yong-wook Shinn, saw this as the perfect time to found Korea's first passenger airline and Korea National Airlines (KNA) was born. The first flight was in 1948 using a Stinson Voyage aircraft.
Flights ceased in 1950 due to the outbreak of the Korean war but resumed again in 1952. As well as domestic routes, they also flew to Seattle, Manilla and Hong Kong.
KNA was nationalized in 1962 and operated as Korean Air Lines (KAL) until 1969, when it was privatized and bought by the Hanjin Group.
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
Aviation Pioneer
Yong-Wook Shinn (1901 - 1961)
Captain Yong-Wook Shinn is a pioneer of aviation in South Korea.
After learning to fly in the 1920s he became the first Korean to own an aircraft when he bought a Tiger Moth. In this aircraft he flew from Japan to Korea, landing at Yeouido Airfield.
In the 1930s he opened a flight school and sightseeing business, helped construct airfields, started air routes for mail and cargo, operated aerial flights for farmers and fishermen, he also ran an aviation equipment manufacturing company.
In 1948, with the support of the government, he established Korea's first airline - Korea National Airlines, which was the genesis of Korean Air as we know it today.
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
Airlines in South Korea
Spoilt for Options
Beginning with one airline back in 1946, there are now 13 airlines operating in Korea.
FSC: Korean Air, Asiana.
LCC: T'way, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Busan, Eastar, Air Seoul, Fly Gangwon, Hi Air, AeroK (2020).
Charter Airline: Korea Express Air.
Cargo Airline: Air Incheon.
Hybrid Carrier: Air Premia (2020).
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
FBO Korea
First 'Made in Korea' Aircraft
Buhwal (Resurrection)
In October 1953, just 3 months after the end of the war, the first Korean designed and built aircraft was completed. The then president, Syngman Rhee, named the plane Buhwal, which means resurrection in Korean. It was designed specifically for Korea's geography and brought pride to a war wary people, who could see a plane made by, and flown by Koreans.
Gimpo International Airport
Opening Korea to the World
Gimpo Airport has served an important role in South Korea's recent history. As the gateway into the country for over 40 years it played a key part in the rise of the nation's economy, opening international connections to foster the growth of both business and tourism.
Gimpo played a major role during the Korean war (1950-1953), known then as the Kimpo Air Base. In 1958 it was designated as the international airport of the capital, Seoul, replacing Yeouido Airport. It soon became the main airport of the entire country. The first terminal opened in 1971, Terminal 1 then opened in 1977.
Gimpo experienced rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s and Terminal 2 was added to accommodate the influx of arrivals for the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Korea's First Female Pilot
Kwon Ki-ok (1901 - 1988)
Kwon Ki-ok was inspired to learn to fly after seeing a 1917 aerobatics demonstration by American stunt pilot Art Smith, who came to her village to perform. Following her graduation from high school in 1919 she become an independence fighter, but was arrested twice for her devotion to liberation.
In order to further her dream to become a pilot she entered the Republic of China Air force school and by 1940 had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel. After World War II, she returned to Korea and was instrumental in the founding of the Republic of Korea Air Force.
She ultimately logged over 7000 flight hours and received the presidential commendation in 1968 and the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1977.
Future Airports in Korea
Korea has plans to build 4 new airports, and 2 airports to undergo expansions.
New Airports:
-
Jeju International Airport #2
-
Saemanguem International Airport
-
Uleungdo Airport
-
Heuksando Airport
Expansions:
-
Incheon International Airport
-
Gimhae International Airport
FBO growth in South Korea
We are particularly excited about the prospect of 3 new FBOs being constructed over the next 5 years.
Incheon Airport has confirmed a location for its FBO, which will be included in the MRO cluster project, alongside the new 4th runway (shown in picture).
Jeju & Gimhae (Busan) are the other airports which will likely have VIP facilities included in the new construction plans.